Eyes - Spinner (Prosthetic Records) [Mark Young]
Another band that for me seemingly leaps out of nowhere is Copenhagen’s Eyes, who via Prosthetic Records have got their third album lined up for release. Spinner represents further development in their sound and this is underscored by vocalist Victor Kaas who has looked inwardly to his own life experiences to form the backbone of this album. This reflection has combined with the band taking a different approach in the studio which has borne fruit in Spinner. It has a story to tell and does so in a rapid fashion with Kaas’ reflections taking on the guise of a fictional Anime episode from the early 80’s and whilst this may sound like it is a concept album, I can guarantee that there are no extended solos of any description here.The opening words were written from a place of calm serenity, prior to the kitchen ceiling falling in after a fab 2 and half hour drive home from work. Now I’m absolutely raging and this requires a review. Normally, I would have given this the attention it deserves (and it does) and write an informed and balanced piece but…
OP1 is their intro to this fictional anime world, and that has early 80’s charm to it that is then squashed by the frenzied Better which just takes flight. Kaas’ vocal performance is unhinged (in that good way) and is over as quickly as its starts. The Captain is next, with its "Your Never Enough" refrain and buzzing riff replete with guest vocals from Selma Bahner (of Feral Nature & Tower) who matches Victor for intensity. The whole thing is wrapped tightly, that mix of Hardcore and Metal sounding excellent here.
Deflating Rooms will make the crowd bounce, I have no doubt in my mind about that as they deliver an intelligent and aggressive people mover. It sounds so good and the songs fall like dominoes it is banger after banger. Beelzebub, The Hypocrite is an instant belter, its like an audio hammer to the brain and Save Face On A Regular Basis is what I would call classic Hardcore, simple but direct and effective with a great turn by Ken Mode’s Jessie Matthewson.
Moving Day For The Overton Window brings the frenzy back whilst Clown comes in and stomps all and sundry, both of these are going to be massive live. The final twosome of Money Mouth and Spinner keep that energy high, with Spinner basically coalescing the whole album in one song which is no bad thing and that’s that, over and done.
After listening to this, there was a moment of disappointment in that I hadn’t given it the due care and attention required. But I’m glad that I didn’t as each song makes a logical step from the one before it. Each one sounds different from the others; the linking piece is the band themselves in the way that they attack each one.
Deflating Rooms will make the crowd bounce, I have no doubt in my mind about that as they deliver an intelligent and aggressive people mover. It sounds so good and the songs fall like dominoes it is banger after banger. Beelzebub, The Hypocrite is an instant belter, its like an audio hammer to the brain and Save Face On A Regular Basis is what I would call classic Hardcore, simple but direct and effective with a great turn by Ken Mode’s Jessie Matthewson.
Moving Day For The Overton Window brings the frenzy back whilst Clown comes in and stomps all and sundry, both of these are going to be massive live. The final twosome of Money Mouth and Spinner keep that energy high, with Spinner basically coalescing the whole album in one song which is no bad thing and that’s that, over and done.
After listening to this, there was a moment of disappointment in that I hadn’t given it the due care and attention required. But I’m glad that I didn’t as each song makes a logical step from the one before it. Each one sounds different from the others; the linking piece is the band themselves in the way that they attack each one.
For an album that is over so quickly, there is a lot going on it and they manage to deliver an album which kicks into a high gear from the off and then stays there til the end. It is a glorious antidote to a bad day, and I can only imagine what it would be like played live. It would be absolute carnage. 9/10
Higher Walls - No End (Self Released) [GC]
When I saw I had a hardcore release in my inbox I was filled with joy because hardcore when done correctly is the best form of heavy music by a country mile, so when I saw it was a UKHC release I was even more buzzing because the list of amazing HC bands past and present from this country is absolutely unbelievable and some of the bands are still some of all time favourites! Anyway, enough about me let’s see if No End by London’s Higher Walls is worthy of my excitement.
The beginning section of History’s Eyes maybe wasn’t what I was expecting as it’s a bit slow out of the blocks and it has a bit of a jagged and juddery mix of guitar work crashing against the drums and it feels like in places they don’t really go together and I’m a bit confused with what I am listening to, with Cloak And Dagger however there is no such confusion with Radu Ghidirim’s guitar work showing an unmistakable two-step rhythm mixed with a tinge of deathcore sounding guitars this is a much more coherent and disgustingly violent beast, there are some more chaotic sections thrown into the song also but everything gels to absolutely stunning effect here!
Elan - Elan Vs Elan (APF Records) [Matt Bladen]
It's probably quite apt that Elan Vs Elan kicks off with a song called Two Angry Men as Elan, the band, is just two men. Shane Miller (A Horse Called War, & William English) on vocals/guitars/bass and Joseph Woodbury (William English & Armed With Books) on drums.
Two men creating angry music, aiming to be the loudest thing in Norwich as the play incredibly noisy, abrasive sludge metal that is inspired by films, mainly the films of visionary director/writer David Lynch. They perform as their rabbit masked alter-egos, Billie and Dianne, who Lynch fans will recognise.
So Elan have a two bodies, two minds sort of deal each track influenced by another cult film or TV show. Two Angry Men is instrumental and features clips from 12 Angry Men setting the filthy scene as we then get three slabs of hardcore influenced sludge that draw their inspiration from Mr Lynch (R.I.P). Elan Vs Elan was recorded, mixed and mastered by David Vickers at Bomb Store Studios who gives it the sound of a battleship dropping on your skull.
The perfect sort of noise for APF Records as tracks such as steamrolling To Kill A Gull (The Lighthouse), the hardcore screams of My English Tongue or the expansive Advocate Cannibalism which features inspiration from Pink Flamingos, all up the ante of noise on this debut album. More loudness from APF as Elan go to battle with themselves. 7/10
Higher Walls - No End (Self Released) [GC]
When I saw I had a hardcore release in my inbox I was filled with joy because hardcore when done correctly is the best form of heavy music by a country mile, so when I saw it was a UKHC release I was even more buzzing because the list of amazing HC bands past and present from this country is absolutely unbelievable and some of the bands are still some of all time favourites! Anyway, enough about me let’s see if No End by London’s Higher Walls is worthy of my excitement.
The beginning section of History’s Eyes maybe wasn’t what I was expecting as it’s a bit slow out of the blocks and it has a bit of a jagged and juddery mix of guitar work crashing against the drums and it feels like in places they don’t really go together and I’m a bit confused with what I am listening to, with Cloak And Dagger however there is no such confusion with Radu Ghidirim’s guitar work showing an unmistakable two-step rhythm mixed with a tinge of deathcore sounding guitars this is a much more coherent and disgustingly violent beast, there are some more chaotic sections thrown into the song also but everything gels to absolutely stunning effect here!
Thorns is then just utter chaos, with Stefan Babara throwing blastbeats all over the track and leading it to places of extremity that just level everything in front of it mixing in the punky yet still unbelievably precise guitars you just cant help but take it all in and revel in the violence of it all and honestly you may not find a more pissed off vocal performance this year, I’m not sure what Jordan Kaad’s problem is but long may it continue!
A Harrowed Wisdom once again opts for the slow and menacing opening and then has a beautiful deathcore main part but never ever steps too far away from the main component which is hardcore and just as it has built up it fades out and is over, this song should have been about 10 minutes long it was so infectious but over way too soon for me!
Collateral Damage is just fucking perfect! Fast, furiously angry and over in under 2 minutes, it feels like you have been dragged backwards through the pit, had 7 shades of shit kicked out of you, thrown back into the pit and somehow come out with a massive grin, this is a song that encapsulates everything that is so good about hardcore!
So Much, For So Long, For So Little is the last whirlwind of violence on this wonderful EP, and it leaves you absolutely wanting more, it is full of urgent riffs, walls of thundering bass rhythms from Chris Sparrow, battering ram drums and topped off with another round of furious vocals, this is absolutely stunning stuff and ends everything on a wonderful high. UKHC represents once again.
There wasn’t much I could find fault with on No End apart from not 100% liking the first track, everything else was unreal and was a brilliant listen that just left me wanting more! It was an intense listen that just kept on getting better and better. On this listen it’s safe to say that UKHC is still thriving, and long may that continue I say! 9/10
There wasn’t much I could find fault with on No End apart from not 100% liking the first track, everything else was unreal and was a brilliant listen that just left me wanting more! It was an intense listen that just kept on getting better and better. On this listen it’s safe to say that UKHC is still thriving, and long may that continue I say! 9/10
Snakemother - Snakemother Reissue (Ripple Music) [Rich Piva]
Snakemother is a female doom band from Oakland, California who bring some seriously cool vibes and sounds to their debut self-titled record, originally released in 2023 but now getting the full vinyl treatment from Ripple Music prior to their second album dropping. As usual, Todd knows what’s what, because Snakemother is another excellent add to the already stacked Ripple roster and this record an killer debut from a band that shows a ton of potential.
I love the folky chanting on this record, as it certainly brings an old time vibe to the album overall. The opening track reminds me a bit of their labelmates Kabbalah, but heavier, which is a wonderful thing. Speaking of heavier, Sacrum brings just that, sounding more like Candlemass, but with atmosphere. Also speaking of Kabbalah, Circles definitely reminds me of them in all the best ways, but again with an extra crunch. I love the swirling riffs on this one too.
Snakemother is a female doom band from Oakland, California who bring some seriously cool vibes and sounds to their debut self-titled record, originally released in 2023 but now getting the full vinyl treatment from Ripple Music prior to their second album dropping. As usual, Todd knows what’s what, because Snakemother is another excellent add to the already stacked Ripple roster and this record an killer debut from a band that shows a ton of potential.
I love the folky chanting on this record, as it certainly brings an old time vibe to the album overall. The opening track reminds me a bit of their labelmates Kabbalah, but heavier, which is a wonderful thing. Speaking of heavier, Sacrum brings just that, sounding more like Candlemass, but with atmosphere. Also speaking of Kabbalah, Circles definitely reminds me of them in all the best ways, but again with an extra crunch. I love the swirling riffs on this one too.
The riffs are huge on Snakemother, with Gold Shields standing out as a strong example of this, along with the very cool vocal patterns and layers that go along with all those riffs. Mu Rise slows it down and doubles down on the floating and the atmosphere, with excellent results, leveraging some cool quiet-loud-quiet dynamics. The guitar work on the closer, Little Lady, is top shelf, especially at the beginning, and the drumming is next level too, almost like they saved just a little bit for the closer, even if it slows down and ultimately crushes you at the end. Absolutely love the vocals too.
A great debut that may have gotten lost in the shuffle if Ripple did not grab it and press it, the self-titled record from Snakemother is an excellent introduction to a band that shows a ton of promise and should deliver an amazing album two if these six tracks are any indication. 8/10
A great debut that may have gotten lost in the shuffle if Ripple did not grab it and press it, the self-titled record from Snakemother is an excellent introduction to a band that shows a ton of promise and should deliver an amazing album two if these six tracks are any indication. 8/10
Elan - Elan Vs Elan (APF Records) [Matt Bladen]
It's probably quite apt that Elan Vs Elan kicks off with a song called Two Angry Men as Elan, the band, is just two men. Shane Miller (A Horse Called War, & William English) on vocals/guitars/bass and Joseph Woodbury (William English & Armed With Books) on drums.
Two men creating angry music, aiming to be the loudest thing in Norwich as the play incredibly noisy, abrasive sludge metal that is inspired by films, mainly the films of visionary director/writer David Lynch. They perform as their rabbit masked alter-egos, Billie and Dianne, who Lynch fans will recognise.
So Elan have a two bodies, two minds sort of deal each track influenced by another cult film or TV show. Two Angry Men is instrumental and features clips from 12 Angry Men setting the filthy scene as we then get three slabs of hardcore influenced sludge that draw their inspiration from Mr Lynch (R.I.P). Elan Vs Elan was recorded, mixed and mastered by David Vickers at Bomb Store Studios who gives it the sound of a battleship dropping on your skull.
The perfect sort of noise for APF Records as tracks such as steamrolling To Kill A Gull (The Lighthouse), the hardcore screams of My English Tongue or the expansive Advocate Cannibalism which features inspiration from Pink Flamingos, all up the ante of noise on this debut album. More loudness from APF as Elan go to battle with themselves. 7/10
No comments:
Post a Comment